Anyone know how to run skyrim without steam?

November 15th, 2011, 19:30

Originally Posted by darkling
AFTER the Steam release in Australia, where it was unlocked very very early. Get your facts together, or you'll appear foolish in the eyes of others. Yes, there is day 1 piracy. It's a Steamworks game, once it's in the wild, it'll be cracked instantly. Steam does fully 100% prevent pre-release piracy though. There's never been a way around it. Skyrim was not pirated before its release.

Originally Posted by darkling
AFTER the Steam release in Australia, where it was unlocked very very early. Get your facts together, or you'll appear foolish in the eyes of others. Yes, there is day 1 piracy. It's a Steamworks game, once it's in the wild, it'll be cracked instantly. Steam does fully 100% prevent pre-release piracy though. There's never been a way around it. Skyrim was not pirated before its release.

My point was that it didn't stop "gotta have it now" peeps who just cannot wait for the game from torrenting it a day before release.

Steam isn't a very good DRM, but it is marvelous for controlling your customers.
When you buy a game that requires steam you don't buy a game, you rent a game.
For full price.

Originally Posted by Jack
My point was that it didn't stop "gotta have it now" peeps who just cannot wait for the game from torrenting it a day before release.

Steam isn't a very good DRM, but it is marvelous for controlling your customers.
When you buy a game that requires steam you don't buy a game, you rent a game.
For full price.

You don't own most software you buy read the eula's. You don't own windows but i assume your not posting here or playing skyrim on linux. At least with steam there are no limits to # of installs, I can play my games from any computer. which is better than a lot of software. Would I like to own all my software like on gog? sure, but that's not the world we live in. So unless you can find a way to convince eveyone to stop stealing then we are going to have drm.

Dev's know drm does not prevent piracy. They use it to deter people from pirating. People that pirate software on a regular basis are going to pirate. but if you can make it hard enough then there are people who will just say it's to much hassle i'll just buy the game.

Just look at it this way if you worked 40 hours a week and people stole 10 of those hours would you be fine with that? If someone offered you drm to deter some people from stealing some of those hours would you do that? So now maybe your getting 35 hrs instead of 30. Or would you say no we can't stop everyone from stealing so we will do nothing about it. I'll be fine with my 30 hours and hope people don't start taking more.

The fact is companies have to do something. We can debate on what that is but they can't sit back and do nothing.

It is actually fantastic DRM. Pre-release piracy prevention is significantly more important to publishers than a crack post-release. Steamworks completely prevents pre-release cracked copies from being out there. They know they can't stop it all and this is the next best thing. I can see why they do it.

Steam is also useful for the end user. I hated the clutter of being a nerd. I hated my boxes and shelves of CD's and DVD's and my drawer of code wheels and blue on purple sheets of codes and manuals with goofy pictures in the corner. I didn't need a shrine to every game box I've ever bought, the game is what I wanted, not the packaging. Collectibles are cool, I still love cloth maps, but most of it was just garbage that made me feel like a hoarder. Having everything online, always available, always up to date and ready to access is pretty awesome. It's like the future! But right now!

That's because of the target audience is teens who doesn't care if they are striking a bad deal. The same people who buy day one dlc and hats in TF2.

Well, this bit is chock-full of facts and carefully constructed arguments. I don't know what a TF2 hat is but your point seems to be that Skyrim is aimed at teens who buy those hats? But your friend in the next post says:

….most teens these days do not have the money for the crazy prices they charge people for games…

So somehow the teens who can't afford games are driving huge sales of Skyrim? OK, got it.

Data mining in other words.

Sure, "data mining" - we'll use your words. Now, what is your point?

Especially since it makes second hand purchases impossible.

Hey, now you're making arguments on my side. Stop it!

Originally Posted by zaldron
Hahahaha Owned.

Hahahaha. Not. Keep up with the arguments.

Jack, you seem to be confused about the your original question. Every single one of your "points" above are answers to "the reasons I don't like Steam".

That's not what I responded to. I responded to your original "riddle", which said:

Riddle me this: if the copy protection doesn't stop people from pirating it, what is it good for?

Which I answered. Please put together a cogent point before posting about one thing and then trying to be smartass by responding with a completely different issue.

I can't use Steam since it doesn't work (and has never worked) on my system so I had to download a crack after buying the boxed release. I tried again a week ago to see if I could get Steam working again but it screwed up my system and almost had to reinstall Windows. I don't know whether or not Steam is good or not but until it starts working on my system I have to buy the game in a box or from another DD site and crack any Steamworks game.

PS. Even if Steam starts working on my system depending on if I like it or not determines whether or not I still crack it since I hate drm.

Your Windows installation is broken, not Steam. This statement says nothing about Steam. It's like people who complain about crashes caused by overheating when they've never dusted their PC. If you refuse to maintain your system, your experience will be diminished.

About Steam

Steam is a Third Party Program, which is used for many games, and has became a very big third party game seller over the years, recently supporting Free 2 Play games.

Steam is required for certain games such as Red Faction Armageddon, Brink, and possibly others including Skyrim.

*Steam DRM does suck*

In other words, there is a program out there called Phoenix, I really do not want to go into any details about cracking, or malcious software, but any game that comes from steam is more than likely found on TPB, or you can simply go to google and search for a crack, or steam bypass and find what I did to crack any game which works for any steam game, and doesn't require an account.

However there really isn't a reason why you shouldn't trust steam, as I have used steam myself for many years, and never had a problem with it, the only thing that ever concerns me is if I get caught being a cheater by VAC, my account actually gets compromised, or something of the such, and I loose access to my games which I have legally purchased a lot of games through steam, and could loose access to a lot of software titles I own licenses to, however if you do not accept the EULA most stores will allow you to return your copy of the software, or contact the game company and request a refund from them.

The most malicious software I have found through Steam is a program called Punk Buster which was installed on my system without my express consent through a game called All Points Bulletin that I purchased which was run by Real Time worlds back in the day before Gamers First purchased lincense rights and the game and made it free 2 play. I was never shown any agreement or EULA prior to its install, and therefore they installed spyware on my PC, this was not Steam's fault but they still should have delisted the game and posted a warning there as the game company add this to their launcher as an updater service, and I consider punk buster to possibly be able to be used to harm a users computer for example I believe that it could be used to steal senstive information which is the reason why I disable PB every single time I am not playing a game, or when I do not trust it, but that is another thing.

Steam Itself in my opinion can be trusted, but it is up to the user of such if they want to accept the agreement, to me honestly NO agreement through the internet means crap, You can easily Hide, forge spoof your MAC address, and IP get around bans for any game really, change out hardware if you know what you are doing, and while a digital agreement may mean something in the software industry to me it means nothing unless signed and agreed on by me in real life, and the only time I ever look at an agreement is if I have a serious issue with a game company, or an issue which has only happend to me in three isntances before which two of those companies went out of business, and the other one I got my account back and everything after a debate with the company.

Although I would just sugguest installing Skyrim, and Enjoy the game, as it just requires steam for the DRM, although you do have the option to crack the game or modify the files as it is a single player game, given the fact that you are not going to give it to others to illegally pirate, or use I do not see why there would be an issue, as long as you have a legit copy of the software, and key registered to your steam.

**Opinions**

If you ask me about piracy, I really couldn't care I support Cracking, Modifying, and what Hotz did for the Ps3, In other words sony got slapped and paid back for what they did, no one ever signed an agreement saying they couldn't mod their PS3 for example, but they tried to sue him, used their money and legal power for disclosure of IP addresses, and brought harm to Thousands of customers who did nothing all simply because of a PS3 mod which harmed no one.

I believe that All Software, Cellphones, and devices sold in the U.S should not have stupid agreements, or Be Locked to certain providers, why? Because if I purchase a Phone from a certain provider, and then switch, I have to throw away that phone or resell it, waste of naturual resources, and Software I shouldn't have a problem using software I legally purchased for example a game tied to one steam account, or a friend died RL and wants to give me his software he owns that should be totally legal, but some software companies say you can't transfer this license, and I believe that a user should be able to do what they want with their own software/hardware after they buy it for PERSONAL use, as long as it doesn't make illegal copies, and if they want to give it to a friend, or give their MMORPG account away to someone it should be legal to do.

If it were me, and I had the power to make changes I would make these changes and laws I would make these changes so that Blocked Phones, Strict rules about what a person can do with stuff they own even software has to be made so the license can be transfered at any time to a friend, and all MMORPG accounts would have to follow such or it wouldn't be allowed to be hosted in the U.S.

I don't support piracy, and I have and will always support software developers, but I will not support Greed, or Lame digital agrements that say we can change this at any time, and the most they will more than likely do is Ban my account the most they can or will do.

Also Software DMCA Claims I hear and understand about are a Civil Court issue, not a actual crime.

** Note **

As far as the comments I made above it is my Opinion and the only thing that I really follow is the Law, and our U.S Constitution, other than that I really don't care about these so called software agreements, and for actual legal advice I would sugguest contacting a lawyer.

*** As For Steam.***

Once you register an account on Steam you have to launch and use the product through steam, and keep hold of the account, NEVER share your account with anyone not even your friend, your brother, any other family have them create their own seperate accounts.

You can then.

1. Download the game through steam should you loose your CD key it will be avalable for download through steam.

2. You will get automatic updates, and can purchase DLC from the steam store.

3. You can install it from the CD of course, but no need can just install it from steam once it is registered whatever game it is.

4. Steam Achivements you actually get to see them.

5. I would just say honestly in my opinion give steam a chance.

You don't have to buy a lot of games to have or use steam, but just download it, give it a try, I once myself did not like steam because it slowed down my PC, and this was when steam first came out, but since I updated to a system with 8GB+ Gigs of ram I have no issue running steam, no lag, all my games stay updated, Never had any problems on my account, and it is great.

**OFF Topic**

** If you are afraid of **

1. Collection of IP/MAC Addresses, these are easily changed hardware by changing a network card, or spoofing the information, also if you are like me you can simply call your ISP and get a new modem, or buy a new modem/rotuer at any time have them switch it, but thats a perk I have and know, so the most they use it for is tracking when you accessed the account incase it gets hacked and or bans.

2. If you are afraid of datamine like this, know that any software program can data mine a user including but not limited to Norton McAfee, or any antivirus, or program you install and give full access to your system to protect you.

3. Also know that simply by clicking a Link I could post here, I could use a VPS server to obtain your IP address, Operating System, Browser, and possibly even run a geolocate, and anyone can do that by simply clicking a link, being redirected from one site to another fact is you would never know, but I know this becuase I know some people who did it, and I have the scripts on a VPS server to do it which can then relay the information to any account I choose or email it to a user or email account.

4. It is good that you are being aware of what you do, what you sign up for and such, but the internet and the security of the internet can be compromised, modified, or a persons information can get disclosed by many ways simply by clicking of a link, although most companies like Steam and such would not use your information for anything illegal either.

5. Other ways to protect yourself -OFF Topic-.

1. Check your Credit Report yearly for fraud.
2. Use a Good Anti Virus, Anti Root Kit, Malaware, know your PC where its sending its data, terminate connections you do not trust, aka get a packet watcher, or sniffer to monitor all network traffic.
3. Use debit cards online, Make sure it has a 0 Fraud Liability incase should your card ever get hacked or compromised by someone.
4. Use PayPal, never give your information directly to RPG Gold Sellers aka chineese farmers.
5. By just plugging in your pc to the internet, you are pretty much giving a person with experience the right to hack your computer, while it is illegal, it is a unwritten rule should I say, also the other thing is installing software, or programs or stupidly damage your own PC, I have doen this once before to myself, but fixed it myself as well, lets just say I knew the risks, but now I test software on Virtual Box.
6. Do not poke the Bear, aka White-Hat, or hacker with more experience to you, and do not challenge people, or you might get served take Hotz, and Sony as an example.
7. Know the Rules of the Internet.
8. Do not mess with the wrong people take HB Gary as an example, Look at Sony, and look at Operation Occupy Wallstreet if you are into politics some people are still confused about it all saying WHO is leading it LOL? Well Im into politics and all this stuff constantly looking into what I can and enjoying games as well as covering and watching my back.
9. Should I actually get a virus, or my PC get messed up I got all my Data Backed up safe, but I can say that Steam has never given me a problem and I have used it since 2005.

** As far as Developers Stopping Piracy**

Simple Answer Developers, make Elder Scrolls, and all popular games a MMO Game, require that all the data be stored outside the server on a Public Server such as a Elder Scrolls MMORPG, with CoOP option, would be great, this would prevent piracy, although its either Piracy, or the cost for the servers and free access although it is possible and while people could possibly illegally run a crack or emulated version im sure they would miss out on a lot of updates, and such, although I can say from experience that People who support the game will actually pay for a legit copy and support it, I really want to see Elder Scrolls 6 myself, so I am supporting it, I would even love to see Elder Scrolls as a MMORPG Title one day and a great one constantly changing and updated for CoOP like Guild Wars would be awesome.

Piracy will always be around, but all this causes is problems for people who want to just run a Single Game for example you buy Elder Scrolls you just want to play that game not have to install Steam, I can support that for those that want that.

I guess every installation of Windows (2 XP, 3 Vista, and 2 Windows 7) since Steam came out has been broken when my system works better then most. I have had very little problems in my system and when I do I know how to fix the problems since I have been doing it for over 20 years. When it comes to Steam it hasn't worked on 4 different OS's and I have tried everything to get it to work and this is with 2 different hardware configurations since I upgraded 3 years ago.

PS. I have very few problems with any of the software I use (including beta and alpha software) and when I do have problems I either can fix them myself or it is a problem with the software.

Originally Posted by guenthar
I guess every installation of Windows (2 XP, 3 Vista, and 2 Windows 7) since Steam came out has been broken when my system works better then most. I have had very little problems in my system and when I do I know how to fix the problems since I have been doing it for over 20 years. When it comes to Steam it hasn't worked on 4 different OS's and I have tried everything to get it to work and this is with 2 different hardware configurations since I upgraded 3 years ago.

PS. I have very few problems with any of the software I use (including beta and alpha software) and when I do have problems I either can fix them myself or it is a problem with the software.

Thats really weird, as I never encountered a single problem installing steam on a wide range of desktops and laptops and OS's, and I have not really heard from any other people that had trouble getting steam to work either (vs. e.g. the issues people have with offline mode, which seems to be more common). I would assume there is some not entirely common software (virus protection? firewall? registry optimizer?) or system setting that you consistently use that interferes with it.

For me personally there is just one thing I really dislike about steam, and thats the constant self-updating which makes starting games sometimes take way too long. When you already have little time for gaming, having to wait several minutes for steam to start is really very annoying sometims. I suppose getting a faster computer would help, but I'm not sure when I will be able to do that.

The only software that I have used for a long time is Avast but that has only been about 3-4 years and I always check to see if the problem involves my anti-virus when I have problems with a program. I use Windows Firewall for my firewall and make sure proper exceptions are in place. The first time I tried installing Steam was in 2004 when Half-Life 2 came out and I don't even have any of the software I had then. I actually don't even have parts from the same manufacturers in my computer as back then.

PS. I just remembered that I have fully upgraded my system twice since then so I have tried with 3 different hardware configurations.

PPS. Actually what happens is Steam will install but it won't run correctly and either will immediately crash, never start at all, or will crash my computer. This las time it crashed my computer and then Windows wouldn't start and I had to go into safe mode to get it working again.

I can fully understand how annoying that experience must have been. Still is weird though - either you were really, really unlucky, or there must be some underlying cause regardless, but of course I have no idea what that could be as you seem to have ruled out all the more or less obvious causes.

Originally Posted by guenthar
The only software that I have used for a long time is Avast but that has only been about 3-4 years and I always check to see if the problem involves my anti-virus when I have problems with a program. I use Windows Firewall for my firewall and make sure proper exceptions are in place. The first time I tried installing Steam was in 2004 when Half-Life 2 came out and I don't even have any of the software I had then. I actually don't even have parts from the same manufacturers in my computer as back then.

PS. I just remembered that I have fully upgraded my system twice since then so I have tried with 3 different hardware configurations.

PPS. Actually what happens is Steam will install but it won't run correctly and either will immediately crash, never start at all, or will crash my computer. This las time it crashed my computer and then Windows wouldn't start and I had to go into safe mode to get it working again.

That's the weirdest thing i've ever heard considering you've totally swapped hardware. Over the past few years building or upgrading computers for friends and family i've installed or seen steam on well over 100 systems i'd guess. single core to quad core, intel to amd, nvidia to ati or amd, integrated video and sound, etc.

It's worked on all of them and I personally have never had steam not start. I've had games on steam crash but weather that's the game or steam who knows but even that is pretty rare. I realize just because i've had success with it doesn't mean everyone will but to not have it even start on 3 different harware setups has to be extremely rare.

Have you contacted steam support? Are you sure their are no common denominators with hardware or software on the 3 different systems?( ie. reusing ram or hd) Do you have any other programs that wont work on all 3 systems?

Originally Posted by guenthar
The only software that I have used for a long time is Avast but that has only been about 3-4 years and I always check to see if the problem involves my anti-virus when I have problems with a program. I use Windows Firewall for my firewall and make sure proper exceptions are in place. The first time I tried installing Steam was in 2004 when Half-Life 2 came out and I don't even have any of the software I had then. I actually don't even have parts from the same manufacturers in my computer as back then.

PS. I just remembered that I have fully upgraded my system twice since then so I have tried with 3 different hardware configurations.

PPS. Actually what happens is Steam will install but it won't run correctly and either will immediately crash, never start at all, or will crash my computer. This las time it crashed my computer and then Windows wouldn't start and I had to go into safe mode to get it working again.

There is only one other program I have been trying to get working over years that I haven't got working and that is Discworld Noir but that is a known compatibility issue.

PS. The only thing I still have from previous hardware configurations is one of my 500GB hds but that is from the second one. The computer I had in 2004 was the one my dad built for me years before with one exception an Ati Radeon 9600 video card I bought. In 2006 I replaced my old computer because it was pretty much entirely outdated built a new system. in 2009 I upgraded the current system and had to get mostly new parts since I went from a ddr based athlon x2 to a ddr2 based phenom II.

My biggest gripe with steam is that it's always mandatory and used as a means to control the customers. What if I simply do not want to use steam? That means I won't buy the game because there isn't an option to play the game without it (not resorting to piracy that is).
If there's more than a disc-check and a serial key I won't buy it.

I know that using steam is beneficial for devs, but let's not pretend that it is meant to provide a better experience for customers since they would have made it optional in that case.

Steam stopped me from buying New Vegas. I wanted to support obsidian, but not steam. Which meant I didn't buy the game, instead I pirated it.
As a pirate I got a better user experience than I would have had if I bought the game.
I could play it offline at anytime without activation, hassle free without providing gaben with data about my playthroughs. I didn't need to install anything beyond the game and didn't pay a cent.

As a consumer I have no reason to buy the game instead of downloading it illegally. Instead of punishing customers I believe companies should reward buyers. How is that stupid?